Thursday, 5 January 2012

Headed down to the south coast at lunch time after getting my 2 year "locals pass" for the Eden Project sorted out and having had a good look at the BBC Wildlife Photographer of the Year photos which are on display at Eden.

I saw the Ring Necked Duck at the Par beach pool but it was always at the far side of the pool and with a gale blowing was really not worth trying for with the camera.

With nothing showing at St.Andrews pool I decided to go down to Spit beach remembering that Nigel had some good Black Redstarts there last weekend.

I couldn't locate the Black Redstarts but did turn up a single Purple Sandpiper amongst a dozen or so Turnstones.
There were also some Oystercatchers roosting on the rocks with a group of 8 Great Crested Grebes in the sea off the harbour wall.

They were difficult to get near so eventually I climbed up on the harbour wall and managed to get a lot closer although the wind was blowing hard and the water was turbulent.

Nigel was however poised with his camera should I fall off the wall!!!